Cars and Shopping

As most of my friends can attest, "cars and shopping" is on of my signature phrases. Years of world travel, including poorer parts like China and Zimbabwe, have inspired my economic development plan. 
To insure peace and prosperity what you need to do is fairly simple: 

1. Choose an area with economic or political problems. 
2. As quick as you can, build and stock shopping centers.
3. Deliver lots of cars (even if you give them away).
4. Install cell phone service.

This simple act will quickly build an infrastructure of commerce, people doing business who have a stake in society because they have jobs and business and want to go shopping themselves. Cars create the need for services, accessories, roads and freedom of motion. Shopping centers are destinations for cars. Cell phones increase freedom of communication.

Now my philosophy has been validated by a recent book reviewed in the New York Times under the title "The Shopping Cure." In his review of Vali Nasr's book, Forces of Fortune, Michael Totten writes: "There is an enormous gulf, after all, between practicing Muslims with a stake in society and violent reactionaries at war with the world. The Middle East’s professionals and entrepreneurs need stability..."

Here. Here. People everywhere are the same. We want to raise our families, go to work and enjoy life and retirement. Not so much to ask I think. The review is very positive, I can't wait to read the book.